DIE DRAWING TECHNOLOGY OF HIGH-MOLECULAR-WEIGHT POLYETHYLENE

A comprehensive investigation of the die drawing technology of a high molecular weight polyethylene (HMWPE) rod has been carried out. The ef fect of draw temperature, draw speed, nominal draw ratio, and exit dia meter of the dies has been studied. The oriented HMWPE products were c haracterized mainly by the determination of the three-point bend modul us and the tensile strength. The tensile strength and the modulus of t he drawn HMWPE rod could reach 700 MPa and 18 GPa, respectively. In ad dition, it was found that forced cooling at the die exit was essential when drawing billets with large section areas.